random Ob-Gyn Questions

epiphany · Mar 2, 2006

Does this really happen can you lactate just because someone aroung you lactates? why and what causes this?

The premise of that rationale is based on a lactating mother's reaction to her baby crying. When I was nursing even the thought of my baby would start a letdown reflex. I don't know if someone would lactate if you saw an adult crying. In my person experience my response was to preception of my babies' need for feeding, whether it be crying or simply thinking about her. I don't know if I would feel the same way about an adult crying.

Then why do they say you shouldn't do things like donate blood during your periode because of blood loss?

That's an interesting question. It would make sense that when we are sloughing off tissue, we really bleed as well, thus we expel bright red "fresh" blood as well as "waste" material.

labcat01, BSN, RN · Mar 2, 2006

2. during your periode you are shedding the linning that has accumulated over the past month. then the blood loss is really over the past month and not in those few days, right? Then why do they say you shouldn't do things like donate blood during your periode because of blood loss? You have already lost the blood but it is only being seen now then why would this time of month make extra blood loss even worse?

I have never heard this before. The ARC says you may donate blood during your period if you are feeling ok.

mandana · Mar 2, 2006

I know when I was nursing my child I was the mall once without him and another baby that sounded similar started crying and I was soaked in 5 minutes. There were other children crying that day and they did not cause the let down response, just the child that sounded like my child. Now, the psychology/physiology of it I can't explain - but I know it's definitely possible.

As for question #2, the blood LOSS only occurs during menstruation - even though its the product of a month long build up, all those rbc's are in your body until you start shedding them - you can get a little anemic during menstruation while your body adjusts to the loss so if you were to donate blood, you'd have even more loss and it would take more energy for your body to recuperate. Although, in all honesty, I've not heard of not donating blood while you're menstruating.

Now here's my question - are clots considered a normal phenomenon during menstruation? In other words, if your patient were a menstruating woman (not postpartum or pregnant) and began bleeding small quarter to half-dollar size clots, would you chart this as abnormal or not?

Thanks!

Amanda

CEG · Mar 2, 2006

I know when I was nursing my child I was the mall once without him and another baby that sounded similar started crying and I was soaked in 5 minutes. There were other children crying that day and they did not cause the let down response, just the child that sounded like my child. Now, the psychology/physiology of it I can't explain - but I know it's definitely possible.
As for question #2, the blood LOSS only occurs during menstruation - even though its the product of a month long build up, all those rbc's are in your body until you start shedding them - you can get a little anemic during menstruation while your body adjusts to the loss so if you were to donate blood, you'd have even more loss and it would take more energy for your body to recuperate. Although, in all honesty, I've not heard of not donating blood while you're menstruating.
Now here's my question - are clots considered a normal phenomenon during menstruation? In other words, if your patient were a menstruating woman (not postpartum or pregnant) and began bleeding small quarter to half-dollar size clots, would you chart this as abnormal or not?
Thanks!
Amanda

I hope this isn't too much information :eek: but I have clots like you described and have always been told that was normal.

I have never heard you couldn't give blood during your period either but I have heard not to schedule surgeries then if you can avoid it.

As for the milk leaking, it never happened to me but I have friends who would leak when they heard a baby crying, their own or not.

ljds · Mar 2, 2006

Only people who are already lactating will begin to lactate in instance #1.

HOWEVER: I was nursing my then 8 mo old baby, and I was working as an aide on the medical floor of our hospital. I was caring for an elderly woman who was in end stage alzheimers. I was helping her take a drink, and she was having difficulty with the straw. She made a total "nursey" face: pursed her lips with mouth open, searched for the straw by moving her head back and forth, basically rooting. I had a total let down!

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 3, 2006

Only people who are already lactating will begin to lactate in instance #1.
HOWEVER: I was nursing my then 8 mo old baby, and I was working as an aide on the medical floor of our hospital. I was caring for an elderly woman who was in end stage alzheimers. I was helping her take a drink, and she was having difficulty with the straw. She made a total "nursey" face: pursed her lips with mouth open, searched for the straw by moving her head back and forth, basically rooting. I had a total let down!

I love this story!

mandana · Mar 3, 2006

Thanks for the info, CEG. I suspected it was normal, but no one I asked seemed to know. I'm still open to other opinions if anyone has thoughts.

Amanda

CEG · Mar 3, 2006

Thanks for the info, CEG. I suspected it was normal, but no one I asked seemed to know. I'm still open to other opinions if anyone has thoughts.
Amanda

I need to add that I am a student, and a new one at that so my opinion was far from expert. It's just what I have been told by my future esteemed colleagues

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Mar 3, 2006

Your hemoglobin is more likely to be low at certain times in your cycle, but it has more to do with fluid retention than blood loss. They won't kick someone out just on the basis of menstruating, but you're more likely to be deferred due to low Hb.

Think about how bloated you sometimes feel around that time of the month. (Or so they tell me... I'm a guy.) Your body retains fluid but does not gain any red cells or Hb, so your blood is more dilute, if that makes sense.

Still Riding · Mar 3, 2006

Your hemoglobin is more likely to be low at certain times in your cycle, but it has more to do with fluid retention than blood loss. They won't kick someone out just on the basis of menstruating, but you're more likely to be deferred due to low Hb.
Think about how bloated you sometimes feel around that time of the month. (Or so they tell me... I'm a guy.) Your body retains fluid but does not gain any red cells or Hb, so your blood is more dilute, if that makes sense.

That is a great explanation. and you do get bloaded I only fit into certain pants at my time of the month. it makes me feel so fat. lol

palesarah · Mar 3, 2006

Only people who are already lactating will begin to lactate in instance #1.
HOWEVER: I was nursing my then 8 mo old baby, and I was working as an aide on the medical floor of our hospital. I was caring for an elderly woman who was in end stage alzheimers. I was helping her take a drink, and she was having difficulty with the straw. She made a total "nursey" face: pursed her lips with mouth open, searched for the straw by moving her head back and forth, basically rooting. I had a total let down!

Thanks for posting your story- my heart just melted a little (in a good way) reading it. How sweet!